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December 11, 2024
Top 10 historical sites in Asia
|With crumbling palaces, gold-lacquered temples and archaeological ruins of millennia-old civilizations filling its borders, you can’t go on a trip to Asia without stumbling across its ample historical marvels. Powerful ancient empires, centers of spiritual pilgrimage, and once-glittering cities exist within these Asian destinations, from China to India, Japan to Cambodia. Go on a storied journey with us as we run through our top 10 historical sites in Asia, and get ready to feel inspired for your next trip.
Fei Lai Feng, China
Also known as the ‘Flying Peak’ or ‘Peak Flown from Afar’ (derived from a local legend that the peak was magically flown there from India), Fei Lai Feng is a famous limestone mountain near Hangzhou in China. With rugged karst formations, lush greenery and cliffs adorned with an abundance of ancient Buddhist rock carvings, the entire area has an air of spiritual peacefulness.
Fei Lai Feng dates back to the 10th century AD, and the religious carvings – including more than 300 rock Buddhas and Bodhisattvas – cover multiple Chinese dynasties. These intricate rock creations are deemed some of the finest in China, arguably the most memorable being a big-bellied laughing Buddha that is carved directly into the rockface. The peak itself lies just in front of the revered Lingyin Temple, one of China’s largest and most renowned Buddhist temples – and it’s a charming amble through the forest to visit both.
Mehrangarh, India
This magnificent fort overlooks the city of Jodhpur in India, and is one of the most iconic sights in Rajasthan. Its imposing red sandstone walls seem to grow organically from the 125m-high cliff, giving it a commanding presence over the city below. From the outside, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Jodhpur as well as the surrounding desert landscape; while inside, it’s a living museum of Rajput architecture, art and culture. Think opulent palaces, intricately-carved sandstone facades, and stunning courtyards. This fort was built in the 15th century by Rao Jodha, the founder of Jodhpur, and has a regal, heavenly quality as it towers above the rest of the kingdom.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
This spectacular, vast monument in Cambodia needs no introduction – Angkor Wat is the icon of Southeast Asia, the largest religious site in the world, and a must-see for anyone with an interest in ancient history, heritage and architecture. This 12th-century temple forms the spiritual heart of the ancient Khmer civilization, and is an incredibly well-preserved example of the grandeur of the Khmer Empire.
Intricate carvings in the walls depict traditional dancers and Hindu stories of gods and kings, while wide open courtyards are flanked by towering spires. The temple’s architectural design is a masterpiece of Khmer engineering, featuring perfect symmetry and a layout that represents the Hindu concept of the universe. It’s no wonder that tourists flock to watch the sun rise behind its grand silhouette; though it also looks fantastic at sunset, with its golden image reflected in the moat beneath.
Fushimi Inari Taisha, Japan
If you don’t recognize the name, you’ll know Japan‘s Fushimi Inari Taisha from the iconic sight of the thousands of vermilion torii gates, creating tunnel-like passages through the forests of Mount Inari. These gates stretch for several kilometers, and it takes an incredible two to three hours to walk through them to the top. Along the way, visitors can stop at smaller shrines and get some respite at numerous viewpoints that offer sprawling views of Kyoto.
Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of thousands of Shinto shrines found throughout Japan. This one, dated to 711 AD is dedicated to Inari, the deity of rice, agriculture, fertility and prosperity. The shrine complex is teeming with fox statues (known as kitsune in Japan) considered to be Inari’s messengers, and often shown with objects in their mouths such as keys or jewels. In Japanese mythology, foxes are said to have close ties to the spirit world and can communicate between humans and gods.
Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s truly majestic landmark, Sigiriya (Lion Rock), towers over the landscape; a rock fortress that presents an incredible example of ancient urban planning. Sitting atop a 180m-high (590ft) column of granite, the palace was selected by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD) for his capital due to its solid defenses, situated up so high and surrounded by forestland. On a small plateau about halfway up, he built the gateway to his palace in the form of an enormous lion – which explains the name ‘Lion Rock’ (though only the gigantic paws remain today).
Visitors to this proud Sri Lankan UNESCO World Heritage Site climb to the top of the rock to wander the fortress, admire the beautiful frescoes flanking the rock’s side, and ponder the elusive Mirror Wall, where the king used to admire his reflection. Around the base you’ll find sublime gardens, resplendent with water fountains and pools. For history-lovers and everyone else, it’s a must-see on a trip to Sri Lanka.
Borobudur, Indonesia
This is Indonesia’s singular most-visited attraction, and it’s easy to see why. Nestled in the lush landscapes of Central Java, Borobudur Temple was constructed in the 9th century during the reign of the Shailendra Dynasty, and is the largest Buddhist temple in the world. Designed as a massive stupa, the temple features nine stacked platforms topped by a central bell-shaped dome. From the air, the entire site resembles a tantric mandala, a symbol of the cosmos.
The temple is adorned with over 2,600 intricate relief panels and 504 Buddha statues, telling stories from the life of Buddha. Visitors go on a spiritual journey as they ascend the temple, moving through three distinct levels until they reach the top level, which represents enlightenment. Wandering Borobudur is a peaceful and soul-stirring experience, particularly at sunset, when you can understand why this site is so important to Indonesians and the world.
Ayutthaya Historical Park, Thailand
Once considered one of the great powers of Asia, Ayutthaya was the capital of the Siamese Kingdom for 400 years (between the 14th and 18th centuries), until it was burnt down by the Burmese army. What’s left of it today, though crumbling, is a marvel of archaeological splendor in Thailand – the rock-carved ruins are intricate and enormous, with tall prang (reliquary towers), Khmer, Sukhothai and Thai stylistic influences, and Buddhist monasteries of monumental proportions – which gives an idea of the city’s past size and majesty. The star temple, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, is known for its impressive three chedis (stupas) – but don’t miss Wat Mahathat for its iconic Buddha head entwined in tree roots.
Kim Bong Carpentry Village, Vietnam
Nestled just across the Thu Bon River from Hoi An, Kim Bong Carpentry Village makes for an excellent detour to witness Vietnam‘s rich woodworking tradition. The village is centuries old but still continues in the same way – with skilled artisans creating stunning wooden sculptures and beautifully-crafted furniture in full view of visitors. Whether quirky architectural elements, statues of folkloric characters, utensils and bowls, or elaborate custom pieces, it’s fascinating to watch a piece of raw timber be transformed into art in front of your eyes – and these age-old techniques have been passed down for generations. You can even try some carpentry yourself, or take a locally-guided tour to learn about the cultural significance of woodwork to Vietnamese heritage and society.
Paro Taktsang, Bhutan
Clinging to the sheer cliff face of the upper Paro Valley in Bhutan, Paro Taktsang – also called Tiger’s Nest – is one of the most visually striking Buddhist monasteries in the world. Designed in a traditional Bhutanese style, the wooden frameworks of the buildings are connected via stairways and bridges, and are situated at an altitude of 3,120ft above sea level, affording sublime views of the surrounding mountains.
Though legend has it that the Indian Buddhist master Guru Padmasambhava flew the entire site to its current location on the back of a tigress in the 8th century, actual construction occurred around 1692 – which was still an incredible feat considering the precariousness of the monastery and lack of construction technology at the time. Today, it’s an important Vajrayana Buddhist pilgrimage site, especially intriguing to visit during the Paro Tshechu Festival, when monks and pilgrims perform religious rites and masked dances.
Plain of Jars, Laos
One of the most recently protected, and most mysterious UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Plain of Jars in Laos depicts a landscape of scattered stone jars, thought to date back to between 500 BC and 500 AD. There isn’t a definite answer to what these large jars were used for, but it’s generally believed they could have been burial artifacts. Some reach over 3m high, and there are around 2,000 of them found in clusters across the plain.
Though unnoticed for centuries, this is now considered one of the most significant archaeological sites in Asia, and also holds significance regarding the Laotian Civil War and the Vietnam War. The area was heavily bombed during this period, leaving a trail of unexploded ordnance (UXO) – a tricky obstacle for historians and archaeologists to navigate.
Make it happen
If you’re a history fan hoping to experience these historical sites in Asia for yourself, click on the destination links below for tour ideas or to get in touch with our locally-based travel experts.
